Skateboard attachment strap assembly

ABSTRACT

A skateboard attachment strap assembly (SASA) ( 10 ) that is comprised of three major elements: a front spring-powered retractable cable reel ( 12 ), an identical rear spring-powered retractable cable reel ( 48 ) and a strap assembly ( 50 ) that is centrally connected between the front and rear spring-powered retractable cable reels ( 12,48 ). The strap assembly ( 50 ) has attached an adjustable buckle ( 82 ). The buckle ( 82 ) allows the strap assembly ( 50 ) to be adjusted to an optimum length to ensure that the strap assembly ( 50 ) lies flat against the lower surface ( 104 ) of a skateboard deck ( 100 ) when the skateboard is in use. Conversely, when the skateboard is being carried or transported, the strap assembly ( 50 ) is extended. In the extended position the strap assembly ( 50 ) can be comfortably and easily placed around a shoulder, back and chest area of an individual.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally pertains to skateboards and the like and more particularly to a skateboard attachment strap assembly. The assembly can be placed in either a retracted configuration when the skateboard is being ridden in an extended position which allows the skateboard to be placed around a person's shoulder, back and chest area of an individual.

BACKGROUND ART

During the last two decades skateboarding has become a significantly popular sport worldwide. A typical skateboard will consist of a deck having a lower surface to which is attached a front truck assembly and a rear truck assembly. There are no problems when the skateboard is in use. However, there can be problems when the skateboard is being carried or transported when the skateboard is not in use.

The prior art has attempted to alleviate the problem of carrying or transporting a skateboard when not being ridden by utilizing a variety of structures. These structures include temporarily-attached handles, notches or openings, and various styles of removably-attached strap slings. The use of the handles and notches can alter the aerodynamics and appearance of the skateboard and the temporarily-attached strap slings take time to attach and can be easily misplaced or lost.

The instant invention solves or at least minimizes the above problems by providing a permanently attached skateboard attachment strap assembly. When the skateboard is in use, the assembly lies flat against the lower surface of the skateboard deck and does not interfere with the usage of the skateboard. When the skateboard is being transported the inventive strap assembly can be extended. In the extended configuration the strap assembly is easily and comfortably placed over a shoulder, back and chest of the individual.

A search of the prior art patents and industry literature did not disclose any strap assemblies that read on the claims of the instant invention, however the following U.S. patents are considered related:

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED 6,585,137 Archuleta 1 Jul. 2003 5,092,506 Bolduc 3 Mar. 1992 4,337,883 Pate 6 Jul. 1982

The U.S. Pat. No. 6,585,137 patent discloses a carrying case for a skateboard. The carrying case includes an enclosure that provides an inner storage area for the skateboard and an opening on the enclosure for storing and retrieving the skateboard into and out of the storage area.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,506 patent discloses a central web that includes a right and a left wing portions that are secured relative to one another to contain a skateboard member. An upper and lower opening permits directing the forward and rear wheel support plates of the skateboard to project therethrough. Cooperative hook and loop fastener strips are formed to the right and left edges of the respective right and left wings to permit securement of the wings relative to one another in an overlying relationship relative to the skateboard. A pocket is formed integrally to the bottom of the web to contain the forward end of the skateboard.

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,883 patent discloses a skateboard holder which can be removably attached to the belt of a wearer for transporting a skateboard. The skateboard holder has a rectangularly-shaped hanger, formed of a flat material such as leather, in which two vertically oriented slits are formed in an upper portion thereof for attachment to a belt.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The skateboard attachment strap assembly (SASA) is designed to augment the utility of conventional skateboards and the like by providing a convenient and comfortable way to carry and transport a skateboard when the skateboard is not in use. The SASA functions in combination with a typical skateboard which includes a skateboard deck having an upper surface and a lower surface. To the lower surface is attached a front truck assembly and a rear truck assembly, wherein each truck assembly has a right side and a left side.

In its basic design configuration, the SASA is comprised of

a) a front retractable cable reel that is attached to the lower surface of the skateboard deck adjacent to either the right side or the left side of the front truck assembly,

b) a rear retractable cable reel that is identical to the front retractable cable reel. The rear reel is attached to the lower surface of the skateboard deck adjacent to the rear truck assembly, and in alignment with the front retractable cable reel, and

c) a strap assembly having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front end and a rear end. To each end of the strap assembly is attached the cable that extends from the respective cable reel. When the skateboard is stowed or in use, the cables are retracted into their respective cable reels, thereby allowing the strap assembly to lie flat against the lower surface of the skateboard deck. Conversely, when the skateboard is being carried, the strap assembly is extended and placed around a shoulder, back and chest area of an individual.

In the preferred design, the front and rear retractable cable reels are each comprised of a spring-powered retractable cable reel. The cable, which is comprised of a multiplicity of looped metal segments, is attached to an internal spring-return mechanism. Also, to ensure that the strap assembly has an optimum length to allow the strap assembly to lie flat against the skateboard deck, an adjustable buckle is inserted over the strap. The buckle is used to adjust the length of the strap assembly to an optimum length.

In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to produce a skateboard having a skateboard attachment strap assembly (SASA) that is easily and comfortably placed around a shoulder, back and the chest area when the skateboard is not in use. Conversely, when the skateboard is in use, the strap assembly is retracted against the lower surface of the skateboard deck.

In addition to the primary object of the invention, it is also an object of the invention to produce a SASA that:

-   -   is primarily utilized on a skateboard, however the SASA can also         be adapted for use on a snowboard or other wheeled on         non-wheeled boards,     -   can be used on skateboards having various lengths and widths,     -   can be made of various materials,     -   can include indicia such as advertising or personal art, and     -   is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's         point of view.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of a skateboard deck to which is attached a skateboard attachment strap assembly (SASA).

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the skateboard deck showing a SASA in a retracted configuration and a SASA, in an extended configuration that is shown with broken lines.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the strap assembly removed from the skateboard deck.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the strap assembly showing a cushioned section attached to the lower surface of the central section.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cable reel that includes an attachment tab that attaches to a skateboard.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a hook and loop fastener that is placed between the lower surface of the skateboard deck and the lower surface of the central section.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of a pair of magnets that are placed between the lower surface of the skateboard deck and the lower surface of the central section.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a clip located on a cable stop/attachment structure inserted into a bore on a buckle.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of a preferred embodiment for a skateboard attachment strap assembly 10, hereinafter (“SASA 10”). The SASA 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-7, is adapted to be used in combination with a skateboard deck 100 having an upper surface 102 and a lower surface 104. To the lower surface 104 is attached a front truck assembly 106 and a rear truck assembly 108, with each truck assembly having a right side 110 and a left side 112.

The SASA 10 is designed to be placed in either a retracted configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, or in an extended configuration, as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 2. The retracted configuration is utilized when the skateboard is in use or is being stowed. When the SASA 10 is in the extended configuration the sktateboard can be comfortably and easily carried by placing the SASA 10 around an individual's shoulder, back and chest area.

The preferred embodiment of the SASA 10 is comprised of three major elements: a front spring-powered retractable cable reel 12, a rear spring-powered retractable cable reel 48 and a strap assembly 50.

The front spring-powered retractable cable reel 12 and the rear spring-powered retractable cable reel 48 are identical in structure and in function. Both of the reels 12,48 are shown attached to the lower surface 104 of the skateboard deck 100 in FIGS. 1 and 2, and separated from the skateboard deck 100 in FIGS. 3 and 4. The two reels can be attached to either the right side 110 or the left side 112 of the truck assemblies 106, 108. When attached, the front reel 12 is in longitudinal alignment with the rear reel 48, as also best shown in FIG. 1.

Both the front reel 12 and the rear reel 48 include a lower surface 14, an upper surface 16, a cable opening 18 and an internal spring-return mechanism 20 to which a cable 34 is attached. The lower surface 14 of the reels 12,48 are attached by an attachment means 21 to the lower surface 104 of the skateboard deck 100. The attachment means 21 can be comprised of a moisture-resistant adhesive 22. Optionally, 30 the reels 12,48 can have rigidly attached to their lower surface 14 an attachment tab 24, as shown in FIG. 5. The tab 24, which extends outward from opposite sides of the outer edges of the reels 12,48, includes a pair of bores 28. To complete the attachment, a screw 30 is inserted through each of the bores 28 and into the lower surface 104 of the skateboard deck 100.

Each of the reels 12,48 operate with the cable 34, which has an inner end 36 and an outer end 38. The inner end 36 of the cable 34, as shown in FIG. 3, is attached to the internal spring-return mechanism 20 and the outer end 38 extends outward from the cable opening 18 and terminates at a cable stop/attachment structure 42. The cable stop prevents the outer end 38 of the cable from retracting into the interior of the reel 12,48. Preferably, the cable 34 is constructed of a multiplicity of looped metal segments 40, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, which allow the cable 34 to be flexible. The cable stop attachment structure 42, as shown in FIG. 8, also includes a clip 80, and the buckle 82 or 84 includes a bore 81 that is dimensioned to accept the clip 80. The combination of the structure's clip 80 and the buckle bore 81 allows the central section 52 and the front and rear webbing strips 64,70 to be easily removed and attached. Note that other attachment means can also be utilized. For example, the attachment means 90 for attaching the front and rear webbing strips 64,70 to the respective front end 54 and rear end 56 of the central section 52 can comprise stitching 44, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

The final element that comprises the SASA 10 is the strap assembly 50 which is comprised of a central section 52 having an upper surface 58 and a lower surface 60, a front webbing strip 64 and a rear webbing strip 70.

The front webbing strip 64, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, includes a first end 66 and a second end 68. The first end 66 is the pull-adjustment end, and the second end 68 is attached by an attachment means 90 to the front end 54 of the central section 52.

The rear webbing strip 70, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, also includes a first end 72 and a second end 74. The first end 72 is the pull-adjustment end, and the second end 74 is attached by the attachment means 90 to the rear end 56 of the central section 52. The front and rear webbing strips 64,70 are made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of NYLON™, cotton or rayon.

Inserted over the front webbing strip 64 and the rear webbing strip 70 is an adjustable buckle 82 that allows the strap assembly 50 to be adjusted to an optimum length. The preferred adjustable buckle is comprised of a cam-style buckle 84, which includes a cam lever 86, as shown in FIG. 3, that lifts to adjust the length of the front and rear webbing strips 64,70, and then is lowered to securely hold the respective webbing strips 64,70.

To further enhance the utility of the SASA 10, a cushioned section 62, as shown in FIG. 4, can be attached to the lower surface 60 of the central section 52. Also, a combination hook and loop fastener 78, as shown in FIG. 6, can be located between the lower surface 104 of the skateboard deck 100 and the lower surface 60 of the central section 52. Optionally, a pair of magnets 76, as shown in FIG. 7, can be utilized. The fasteners 78, 76 aid in maintaining the strap assembly 50 placed against the lower surface 104 of the skateboard deck 100. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the strap assembly 50 can include indicia 32, such as business or personal indicia, that is visible when the skateboard is being carried.

While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shown in the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details, since many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and the scope thereof Hence, it is described to cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within the language and scope of the claims. 

1. A skateboard attachment strap assembly (SASA) that is adapted to be used with a skateboard deck having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein to the lower surface is attached a front truck assembly and a rear truck assembly, with each having a right side and a left side, wherein said SASA comprises: a) a front retractable cable reel that is attached to the lower surface of the skateboard deck adjacent to one of the sides of the front truck assembly, b) a rear retractable cable reel that is attached to the lower surface of the skateboard deck adjacent to the rear truck assembly and is in alignment with said front retractable cable reel, and c) a strap assembly having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front end and a rear end, wherein to each end is attached a cable that is extended from the cable reel, wherein when the skateboard is stowed or in use, the cables are retracted into their respective cable reels, thereby allowing said strap assembly to lie flat against the lower surface of the skateboard deck, conversely when the skateboard is being transported, said strap assembly is extended and placed around a shoulder, back and chest area of an individual.
 2. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 1 wherein said front and rear retractable cable reels are each comprised of a spring-powered retractable cable reel having a cable that is internally attached to a spring-return mechanism.
 3. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 2 wherein said cable is comprised of a multiplicity of looped metal segments that allow the cable to be flexible.
 4. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 1 wherein each said reel is attached to the lower surface of the skateboard deck by a moisture resistant adhesive.
 5. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 1 further comprising a combination hook and loop fastener that is located between the lower surface of the skateboard deck and the lower surface of the strap assembly, wherein the fastener aids in maintaining said strap assembly firmly against the lower surface of the skateboard deck when the skateboard is in use.
 6. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 1 wherein said strap assembly is made of a material that is selected from the group consisting of NYLON™, cotton and rayon.
 7. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 6 wherein said strap assembly further comprises an adjustable buckle that is used to adjust the length of the strap assembly to an optimum length.
 8. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 7 wherein said adjustable buckle is comprised of a cam-style buckle that includes a cam lever that lifts to adjust the length of the strap assembly then closes to securely hold the strap assembly.
 9. A skateboard attachment strap assembly (SASA) that is adapted to be used with a skateboard deck having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein to the lower surface is attached a front truck assembly and a rear truck assembly each having a right side and a left side, wherein said SASA comprises: a) a front spring-powered retractable cable reel having: (1) a lower surface, an upper surface, a cable opening and an internal spring-return mechanism, wherein the lower surface of said reel is attached by an attachment means to the lower surface of the skateboard deck adjacent to one of the sides of the front truck assembly, (2) a cable having an inner end and an outer end, wherein the inner end is attached to the internal spring-return mechanism, and the outer end extends outward from the cable opening and terminates at a cable stop/attachment structure, wherein the cable stop prevents the outer end of the cable from retracting into the interior of said reel, b) a rear spring-powered retractable cable reel that is identical to said front spring-powered retractable cable reel, wherein the lower surface of said reel is attached by the attachment means to the lower surface of the skateboard deck in longitudinal alignment with the front spring-powered retractable reel, c) a strap assembly comprising: (1) a central section having a front end, a rear end, an upper surface and a lower surface, (2) a front webbing strip having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached by an attachment means to the cable stop/attachment structure located on the first reel, and the second end is attached by an attachment means to the front end of the central section, (3) a rear webbing strip having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached by the attachment means to the cable stop/attachment structure located on the second reel, and the second end is attached by the attachment means to the rear end of the central section, wherein when the skateboard is stowed or in use the cables are retracted into their respective reels, thereby allowing said strap assembly to lie flat against the lower surface of the skateboard deck, conversely when the skateboard is being transported, said strap assembly can be extended and placed around the shoulder, back and chest area of an individual.
 10. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 9 wherein said means for attaching the lower surface of said reels to the lower surface of the skateboard deck comprises a moisture-resistant adhesive.
 11. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 9 wherein said means for attaching the lower surface of said reels to the lower surface of the skateboard comprises: a) an attachment tab that is rigidly attached to the lower surface of said reels, with the ends of the tab extending outward from the outer edges of said reels, and with each tab extending end having a bore therethrough, and b) a pair of screws that are inserted through each of the bores and into the lower surface of the skateboard deck.
 12. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 11 wherein said reels can be attached adjacent to either the right side or to the left side of the front and rear truck assemblies.
 13. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 12 wherein said cable is constructed of a multiplicity of looped metal segments that allow the cable to be flexible.
 14. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 9 further comprising a combination hook and loop fastener that is located between the lower surface of the skateboard deck and the lower surface of the central section, wherein the fastener aids in maintaining said strap assembly firmly against the lower surface of the skateboard deck.
 15. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 9 wherein the front and rear webbing strips are made of a material selected from the group consisting of NYLON™, cotton and rayon.
 16. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 15 further comprising an adjustable buckle that is inserted over the front webbing strip and the rear webbing strip, wherein each of the buckles allows the strap assembly to be adjusted to an optimum length. adjustable buckle is comprised of a cam-style buckle which includes a cam lever that lifts to adjust the webbing strips, and then is lowered to securely hold the respective webbing strip.
 18. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 15 wherein said means for attaching the inner end of the cable to the respective cable stop/attachment structure comprises: a) the cable stop attachment structure having a clip, and b) the buckle on the front and rear webbing strips having a bore that is dimensioned to accept the clip, wherein the combination of the clip and the bore allows the central section and the front and rear webbing strips to be easily removed and attached.
 19. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 9 wherein said means for attaching the front and rear webbing strips to the respective front end and rear end of the central section comprises stitching.
 20. The skateboard attachment strap assembly as specified in claim 9 further comprises indicia that is placed on the strap assembly and that is visible when the skateboard is being carried. 